Disinfecting apparatus.



119.728,221. R y vPATRRTRD MAY 19, 1909,.`

R. FOURNIER.

DISINFR'CTING APPARATUS. A'PPLIoATIoN FILED AUG. s, 1909.

Ro MODEL.

UNiTED STATES Patented May 19, 1903.

EUGNE FOURNIER, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

DlSlNFECTlNG APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent o. 728,221, dated May 19, 1903. Application illed August 9, 1900. Serial No. 26.402. (Nnmodel.)

Paris, France, have invented certain neWand Y useful Improvements in Disinfecting Apparatus, (for Which-I have Vmade application for Letters Patent in France, No. 297,574, dated. February 24, 1900,) of which'the following is w section, of a complete installation as appliedl to the-disinfection of a chamber, together a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for practically and rapidlyl carrying out disinfection by the vapors of suitable disinfectants.

Up to the present time, and especially in the case of municipal service, for disinfecting purposes and disinfection at private residences a process is in use by which the operations can be carried out rapidly by'contact with disinfecting-vapors in from four to six hours, but the demand has not gone so far as to require the disinfection of bedding in one and the same operation, the stoves constructed forthis purpose not being suitable for carrying out this supplementary work except by way of a separate operation. Now the improved means forming the object of the present application are of such a nature that it is not only possible to disinfect. any locality or chamber in six hours, or even in two to four hours, but also, and this is a very important point, to disinfect bedding, clothing, and other varticles directly in the same place and during the same operation Without having to employ special stoves constructed and employed for that special purpose. Nu-

merous experiments undertaken in this "direction have shown that the penetrating powerof any vapor suitable for disinfecting purposes is in direct proportion to the temperature of the surroundings, and that therefore it is of the greatest importance that the temperature of the chamber to be disinfected should be raised to a minimum of from 30 to 40 centigrade. Now it has been observed, however, that as the heat rises it is absolutely necessary that the whole chamber should be evenly and regularly heated,to do which and to obtain an even distribution of this heat it is necessary that the air next to the floor should be also brought and maintained at the above-indicated temperature. These essential conditions of the process having thus been stated it noW remains to describe the means desired with a'view of practically realizing the object of the invention. The preferred Ymeans and arrangement of plant em ployed, as indicated by experience,

Vwill be described hereiuunder, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective View, partly in with variousarticlesf-such as bedding, clothing, and the. like-"which such chamber may contain. Fig. 2 is adetail sectional elevation of the heating apparatus, the removable door servingfto close the chamber, and the various accessory devices for the injection of vapors and theagitation of Athe air; while Figs. 3 and-'4 are detail views showing in longitudinal sections the injector-tubes serving for the disinfection of linen, clothing, bedding, and other articles which can be suspended in the chamber.

If such articles as bedding and the like and smaller objects are to be disinfected in the said cham ber at the same time as the chamber itself, these articles are arranged so as to insure the best conditions under which the heatedV air surrounding them can efficiently act and the disinfectant vapors ernployed can penetrate them. Fig. 1 represents a suitable Way of arranging vsuch articles. A framework 5, which can be closed u p, folded, or taken to pieces and capable of being extended in either height, length, or width, serves forflthe suspension of such articles as mattresses, linen, articles of clothing, and the like, While suitably arranged and adjustable shelves 6 are provided for objects of less sizesuch as boots, head-gear,books,and the like. The door of the room is either taken away bodily or completely swung back in the direction in which it opens, so asto allow, as represented in Fig. l, the fixing of a removable door 7, fitting in vthe place of the ordinary door and provided With-a strong frame or packing 8, which fits vagainst the inner part of the ordinary door-frame, the tight fitting between the said door and the door-frame being secured by means of crossbars 10 and clamping-screws 9, as represented in Figs. l and 2, so arranged as to elect a hermetic closing of the chamber in which the opera- ICO tion is to take place. Obviously, the manner of closing up the ordinary door-opening may vary according to circumstances and the shape and kind of doorway or opening toV be closed.

The door 7 is provided with an opening ll, intended to receive the principal tube of a heating apparatus of special construction to be described hereinafter, two other openings, a lower one 12 andan upper one 13, serving for the rapid and complete expulsion of all vapors and humidity at the end of the disinfecting operation, so as to allow the room to be used immediately after such ventilation. A passage for a thermometer is also made in the door and two passages for pipes 14 and l5, through which the vapors of the disinfectants enter the chamber. Another passage for a pipe 16 is made, through which pass the vapors for heating the pipes which contain and inject the disinfecting-vapors into the articles of bedding or the like, so as to preventanycondensation of the said disinfecting-vapors. The door 7 may also be provided with a glazed inspection-window,which when combined with suitable means of lighting up the interior 4allows the interior of the room to be watched during the operation. Finally, the door 7 is providedwith a connection and tap 17 for the purpose of removing any condensed vapors from the heated air which is admitted through pipe 16, together with mechanism 1S for transmitting a rotatory movement by means of a flexible cord 19,pass ing through the door 7 at a point 20 for the purpose of actuating a fan device 2l for agitating the air in the interior of the chamber.

The heating apparatus 22 consists, in proportion to the size of the chamber to be disinfected, of a petroleum-lamp 23, with four, eight, twelve, or other number of burners, with forced draft. The apparatus consists of a jacket 24, of sheet metal, supported, at a suitable height from the ground, on a tripod 26, permitting a free circulation of the air and the arrangement of the heating-lamp 23 under lthe devices below the center of the bell 24. This jacket 24 is combined with another casing or bell 25 inside it, the two bells thus forming a double casing connected by a central neck-piece 27 at the top, forming a crown with orifices 28, allowing the hot air freely to circulate in the manner to be described hereunder. An oblong sleeve 30, fitted to the outer casing or bell 24 of the heating apparatus 22, closely tits into the orice 11 of the door 7, which orilice is combined with a closing register 3l. The sleeve 30, which projects into the interior of the rootn by a connection about fifty centimeters long, forms a communication between the annular space 29`between the two bells 24and 25 and the interior of the room to be disinfected, the latter also communicating with the interior of the bell 25, which is directly exposed to the heating eiects,by another tube-pipe 32, tted to said bell and resting upon the bottom portion of tube 30, so as to leave between it and the said tube 32 a large upper space 33, through which freely passes the air heated by radiation in the annular space 29 between the two bells. The bells 24 and 25 are at their upper parts provided with central openings 34 and 35, in which is placed, with a View of injecting disinfecting-vapors into the chamber, an apparatus 36, as represented in Fig. 1, in which apparatus the said vapors are generated. During the operation of pre liminarily heating the interior of the chamber the apparatus 36 is replaced by a double lid 37 38, closing the said openings 34 35, as represented in Fig. 2.

The apparatus 36 is provided with two tubular connections, one of which, 40, supplies the disinfecting-vapors to two branch pipes 41 and 42, respectively, connected with the pipes 14 and 15, forming injector devices, while the other, 43, for the heating-vapors is connected with the pipe 16. The devices for injecting the disinfecting-vapors consists of a spray device 44 of several branches, arranged with a view of agitating the atmosphere in the chamber, and of tubes 45 for the distribution and injection of the disinfecting-vapors in articles of bedding or other articles suspended onthe framework 5. The said tubes 45 (represented in detail in Figs. 3 and 4) are perforated, so as to allow the disiufecting-vapors to pass out freely, and contain within them unperforated tubes 46 for receiving and circulating the heated air from the pipe 16, which circulation is effected through the whole system, as represented in Fig. 1, by means of branch connections 47 and branch pipes 48, establishing a communication between one tubular element and another. The disinfecting-vapors pass from the pipe 14 through the principal set of connections 49 at the corresponding end of the tubular element 45, the other ends of which are connected by curved connections so arranged that the heated vapors can circulate through the whole set of tubular elements 45. When such tubular elements 45 are intended to pass through such articles as mattresses and the like, the curved connections 47 are removed and re placed by pointed spikes 50, by means of which the elements can easily penetrate through the articles, and are removed after completely passing through the mattress or the like and projecting on the opposite side and replaced by the curved connections 47, by means of which the circulation of hot vapors is restablished and made effective, as described in the above. A pipe 51, connected with the set of pipes through which the heating-vapors circulate, terminates in a tap 17 outside the apparatus, through which any condensed vapors may be drawn off.

The apparatus 2l for agitating the air in the chamber forms a kind of fan with large wings arranged on a drum mounted on a support or tripod and rotated by means of a IOO IIO

flexible cord 19, actuated by a tramission mechanism 18 outside the chamber.

The operation for disinfecting is carried out in the following manner: While carrying out the closing operations in a room, whereby any communication with the outside through windows, chimneys, or other openings is hermetically closed, the chamber is preliminarily heated by placing the lamp 23 successively in different corners or parts of the room, the door of which has been previously removed or turned back and replaced by the door 7. The closing of the door is effectively secured by means of a packingframe 8, cross-bars 10, and clamps 9 after having withdrawn the lamp 23 and after having well sprinkled the floor'with a mixture of one part acetone and two parts water. The apparatus 22 is then connected, as shown in Fig. 2, for the purpose of heating the interior of the chamber, and the exible cord 19 of the fan-21 is, by means of the mechanism 18, actuated, thus similarly turning the fan 21. All the openings of the chamber having been carefully closed and the various articles to be disinfected suitably arranged in the interior-i. e., either placed on the shelves 6 or suspended from the bars of the frame 5, according to their nature-the whole system is combined with the injecting devices previously described. The heating of the chamber now takes place. The hot air, produced directly in the bell 25, passes into the chamber through tube 32, while the heat resulting by radiation from the said bell serves to heat the air circulating in the annular space 29 between the two bells 24 and 25, which air also enters the chamber through tube 30, the greatest part of the radiated heat of the apparatus 22 being thus utilized. During this operation of heating the fan 2l is kept Working, thereby securing a uniform heating and even distribution of heat in all parts of the chamber. The desired degree of temperature being obtained, the double cover 37 38 is replaced by the vaporizing apparatus 36 for generating the disinfecting-vapors, as represented in Fig. 1, its pipes 41, 42, and 43 being connected with the pipes 14, 15, and 16, respectively, and serving for the transmission of the disinfecting-vapors and the heatin g-vapors,respectively. The heating is continued until the manometer of the apparatus indicates the pressure required, while at the Sametime the fan 21 is kept rotating. The required pressure having been obtained, a first injection of moist vapor is made of a mixture of water and acetone either through the injector-sprayer 44 or through the tubular system 45 or simultaneously by the two, according to the nature of the operation to be carried out. While theinjection is proceeding through the tubular system 45, the circulation of heated vapors in the inner tubes 46 of the latter is effected through the pipe 43 of the apparatus 36, and afterward the draw-off tap 17, communicating with the pipe 5l, is opened from time to time for the purpose of withdrawing any condensation products which may have been effected in the tubes 46 of the tubular system 45. The injection having been completed, the heating is continued, while at the same time-the fan 2l is kept revolving until after about an hour the injection of the mixture of acetoneand Water before mentioned takes piace. This injection having been finished, the fan 21 is kept revolving for some minutes, after which the heating is stopped, the apparatus 22 withdrawn, together with its accessory parts, and the register 31 closed, so as to completely close the opening 11 of the door 7. the interval of time considered sufficient for the condensation and penetration of the disinfecting-vapors-say about four hours-the apparatus 22 is replaced and the heating continued, this time, however, without ejecting the vapors, and the fan 21 kept revolving for about half an hour or an hour. The heating is then suspended for about an hour and a half, after which it is started again, making simultaneouslywithit at the second hour or thesixth after the injection of the before-mentioned mixture of acetone and Water an injection of ammonia-vapor, while the fan 21 is kept rotating all the time. This last injection having terminated, the apparatus 22 is withdrawn, the register 3l hermetically closed, and after two to six or eight hours, according to the surface dimensions and the thickness of the porous and absorbent article, the chamber may be opened. vIf the chamber is required for immediate use, it should be energetically ventilated, heating it for about ten minutes before opening it. Such heating is accompanied by opening the orifices 12 and 13, through which the expulsion of every trace of vapor or dampness can be effected. To facilitate this action, the upper orifice 13 may be connected with a tube terminating outside the chamber.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The herein-described disinfecting apparatus comprising a heating device for the production ot' intense heat arranged outside the chamber to be disinfected and serving to raise to a suitable degree the temperature ofthe chamber by passing into it air heated directly and air heated by radiation, and for the heating of an apparatus for generating disinfecting-vapors; a fan for agitating and mixing the air, inside the chamber so as to obtain an even temperaturethroughout: adoor adapted to close the chamber to be disinfected, said door being hermetically closed by means of a packing-frame 8 applied to the door-frame of the chamber and fixed to it by cross-bars and clamps, said door being provided with the necessary openings, connections, and

tubes'for the apparatus for heating, inject-y After lOO IIO

ing and agit-ating the air, as well as for the reception of a thermometer and With inspection-holes and ventilation-orifices: and two injectors, one a spray device consisting of a number of branches for effecting the distribution of the disinfect-ing-vapors in the chamber, while the other consists of a system of perforated tubes inclosing non perforated tubes for the circulation of heated air and terminating in a tube extending through the lower part of the door and a tap for the purpose of removing the products of condensation, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a compartment or chamber, of a heating apparatus, a system of piping within said chamber for conducting disinfectingvapors, a fan within the chamber, means outside the chamber for actuating said fan, and an injector comprisingr a number of branches constituting a spray device, all as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a device for the purpose described, the combination with a chamber, of a heating apparatus comprising two concentric shells or casings, a sleeve fitted to the outer of said casings, and extending into the said chamber, and forming communication between the annular space between the casings and the interior of said chamber, a smaller tube within said sleeve and communicating with the inner casing, the said casiugs having openings at the top, and a removable closure therefor, and a heater disposed beneath the bottom of the inner casing, all substantially as shown and described. A

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EUGNE FOURNIER.

Witnesses:

LOUIS SULLIGER, EDWARD P. MACLEAN. 

